One killed, nine cars damaged in tanker fire.

Vehicles burnt by fuel tanker fire on CMD Road, Shangisha, Lagos ...on Friday. Inset: The tanker that caused the accident.

There was pandemonium at the Ikosi end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Friday after a truck laden with petrol skidded off the expressway and somersaulted onto the CMD Road, causing an inferno.

Our correspondent, who visited the scene, observed that one person lost his life, while four rams were roasted and nine cars burnt beyond recognition.

An eyewitness, who identified himself simply as Ade, said the tanker driver was over-speeding and lost control.

He said, "Around 5 pm, I saw the tanker driver speeding on the expressway. When he got to the part of the expressway facing Magodo Junction, he lost control, hit a Jeep before tumbling.

"Petrol began to pour out of the tanker and the driver, who was injured, jumped out of the vehicle and ran away."

It was learnt that the vehicle rammed into a makeshift mechanic workshop and a meat market before exploding.

The incident caused a stir as people were seen running to safety, seeing that the petrol was gushing into gutters and spreading down to Shangisha area.

The corpse of a man believed to be a cattle rearer was seen burning after he allegedly tried to save some of his rams.

The accident also caused a heavy vehicular traffic between Ketu and Berger Bus Stop as motorists abandoned their cars and fled.

A baby was also rescued by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, who were on the scene to control the heavy traffic.

Also, men of the Lagos State Fire Service were on ground as they tried for over an hour to extinguish the fire.

The Lagos State Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Adebayo Olayimika, said, "We were told that there was a fire caused by a somersaulted tanker; we came immediately and we have been able to put out the fire.

"One man and four animals died in the fire, while nine vehicles were burnt.

"The fire reached Shangisha following the drainage but we managed to put it out."

Policemen attached to the Isheri Division as well as Ketu, were also on ground to maintain order.